Bill of Materials
Every component needed to build our autonomous Dobsonian telescope. Interested in donating a part? Contact us.
Product links are provided as reference only. Before purchasing any part, please contact us at mvhsphysicsastroclub@gmail.com to confirm specifications and compatibility with our build. Prices and availability may change.
Total Parts
58
Estimated Budget
$1,074–$1,484
Donated
12/ 58
Still Needed
46/ 58
| Part | Specification | Qty | Category | Est. Cost | Status | Donated By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Primary Mirror Generously donated — the heart of our telescope | 254mm (10") f/4.48 parabolic | 1 | Optics | Donated | Donated | Pacific Holographic |
| 70mm minor axis elliptical flat | 1 | Optics | $39–49 | Needed | — | |
| 4-vane spider with adjustable holder | 1 | Optics | $85–120 | Needed | — | |
| 1.25" Crayford-style dual-speed | 1 | Optics | $115–135 | Needed | — | |
Lines the upper tube assembly to reduce stray light | Self-adhesive black velour | 1 | Optics | $15–20 | Needed | — |
Mirror box, rocker box, and ground board | 3/4" Baltic birch plywood sheets | 1 | Structure | $60–70 | Needed | — |
| 3/4" plywood, 20" diameter | 1 | Structure | $10–15 | Needed | — | |
Upper tube assembly truss structure | 1" OD × 0.058" wall truss poles | 8 | Structure | $50–70 | Needed | — |
| CNC aluminum clamp blocks | 16 | Structure | $40–80 | Needed | — | |
| 1/4-20 pronged T-nuts | 16 | Structure | $8–10 | Needed | — | |
| 3/8" steel alignment pins | 16 | Structure | $40–48 | Needed | — | |
| Assorted bolts, nuts, washers | 1 | Structure | $20–25 | Needed | — | |
| Titebond III + polyurethane | 1 | Structure | $16–20 | Needed | — | |
| Flat black interior, satin exterior | 1 | Structure | $6–8 | Needed | — | |
Kit includes both altitude + azimuth pads | 1" × 2" virgin PTFE | 4 | Bearings | $36 | Needed | — |
Included in altitude pads bearing kit | 1.5" × 2" virgin PTFE | 3 | Bearings | Incl. in kit | Needed | — |
Low-friction bearing surface | Wilsonart Ebony Star surface | 1 | Bearings | $15–20 | Needed | — |
| 3/8"-16 × 3" stainless steel | 1 | Bearings | $13 | Needed | — | |
| 1" × 1" × 1/8" 6061 aluminum | 1 | Mirror Cell | $20–30 | Needed | — | |
| 1/4"-20 × 4" with knobs | 3 | Mirror Cell | $15–25 | Needed | — | |
Supports mirror without distortion | CNC aluminum 9-point flotation | 3 | Mirror Cell | $75–150 | Needed | — |
| Spring-loaded retaining clips | 3 | Mirror Cell | $10–15 | Needed | — | |
| GE Silicone II clear | 1 | Mirror Cell | $9–12 | Needed | — | |
Accelerates mirror thermal equilibrium | 80mm 12V DC brushless | 1 | Mirror Cell | $8–12 | Needed | — |
| 60mm 12V DC brushless | 1 | Mirror Cell | $7–10 | Needed | — | |
Raspberry Pi 4 Main computer — runs tracking, imaging, and web server | Model B 4GB RAM | 1 | Electronics | Donated | Donated | Donated |
MicroSD Card | 64GB Class 10 A2 | 1 | Electronics | Donated | Donated | Donated |
Ethernet Cable Network connection for Pi | Cat5e/Cat6, 3–5m | 1 | Electronics | Donated | Donated | Donated |
| USB-C 5V 3A official PSU | 1 | Electronics | $8–12 | Needed | — | |
| 1.8° 1.2 N·m bipolar | 1 | Electronics | $18–22 | Needed | — | |
| 1.8° 1.2 N·m bipolar | 1 | Electronics | $18–22 | Needed | — | |
Superseded by ToupTek AAF electronic auto-focuser | 1.8° 0.4 N·m bipolar | 1 | Electronics | Donated | Donated | ToupTek Astro |
ToupTek AAF Electronic Auto-focuser Replaces NEMA 17 + GT2 belt for focus drive | Direct-drive focuser motor with USB control | 1 | Electronics | Donated | Donated | ToupTek Astro |
Ultra-quiet StealthChop for vibration-free tracking | Silent stepper drivers | 3 | Electronics | $18–22 | Needed | — |
| 6mm GT2 belt + 20T/60T pulleys | 2 | Electronics | $16–28 | Needed | — | |
| 12V 10A switching PSU | 1 | Electronics | $14–20 | Needed | — | |
5V derivation handled by PPB Advance Gen 2 variable output | 12V → 5V 3A DC-DC | 1 | Electronics | Donated | Donated | Pegasus Astro |
Pegasus Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen 2 Integrated power management — replaces terminal block, MOSFETs, and buck converter | 12V power distribution + USB hub + dew control + env sensor | 1 | Electronics | Donated | Donated | Pegasus Astro |
| 15A blade fuse holder | 1 | Electronics | $7–10 | Needed | — | |
Distribution handled by Pegasus PPB Advance Gen 2 | 12-position barrier strip | 1 | Electronics | Donated | Donated | Pegasus Astro |
| 100µF 25V electrolytic | 3 | Electronics | $5–7 | Needed | — | |
| 15V bidirectional TVS | 2 | Electronics | $7–10 | Needed | — | |
| 22AWG silicone wire assortment | 1 | Electronics | $12–16 | Needed | — | |
| Micro limit switch with lever | 4 | Electronics | $8–12 | Needed | — | |
PWM control handled by PPB Advance Gen 2 dew heater outputs | IRLZ44N logic-level N-channel | 2 | Electronics | Donated | Donated | Pegasus Astro |
| 10kΩ 1/4W | 4 | Electronics | $5–7 | Needed | — | |
| 100nF ceramic | 4 | Electronics | $6–9 | Needed | — | |
| 1N4007 rectifier | 2 | Electronics | $5–8 | Needed | — | |
ToupTek ATR585C Cooled Camera Cooled deep-sky imaging camera with thermoelectric cooling | 8.3MP Sony IMX585 cooled CMOS, USB 3.0 | 1 | Camera | Donated | Donated | ToupTek Astro |
ToupTek GPM462C Guide Camera Autoguider for closed-loop tracking correction | 2.1MP Sony IMX462 CMOS, USB 2.0, planetary/guiding | 1 | Camera | Donated | Donated | ToupTek Astro |
| M42 to 1.25" nosepiece | 1 | Camera | $10–15 | Needed | — | |
| Active 5m USB 3.0 extension | 1 | Camera | $18–25 | Needed | — | |
Visual observing at star parties | 25mm Plössl 1.25" | 1 | Accessories | $28–35 | Needed | — |
| Red-dot or 6×30 optical | 1 | Accessories | $15–20 | Needed | — | |
Blocks stray light between UTA and mirror box | Nylon ripstop fabric tube | 1 | Accessories | $86–107 | Needed | — |
| Cheshire + sight tube combo | 1 | Accessories | $25–37 | Needed | — | |
Prevents dew on secondary mirror | Flexible resistive heater | 1 | Accessories | $25–35 | Needed | — |
| 5mm to 8mm flexible coupler | 1 | Accessories | $8–12 | Needed | — |
Primary Mirror
Optics
254mm (10") f/4.48 parabolic
Generously donated — the heart of our telescope
Flocking Material
Optics
Self-adhesive black velour
Lines the upper tube assembly to reduce stray light
Cabinet-Grade Plywood
Structure
3/4" Baltic birch plywood sheets
Mirror box, rocker box, and ground board
Aluminum Tubes
Structure
1" OD × 0.058" wall truss poles
Upper tube assembly truss structure
PTFE Altitude Pads
Bearings
1" × 2" virgin PTFE
Kit includes both altitude + azimuth pads
PTFE Azimuth Pads
Bearings
1.5" × 2" virgin PTFE
Included in altitude pads bearing kit
Ebony Star Laminate
Bearings
Wilsonart Ebony Star surface
Low-friction bearing surface
Flotation Triangles
Mirror Cell
CNC aluminum 9-point flotation
Supports mirror without distortion
Rear Cooling Fan
Mirror Cell
80mm 12V DC brushless
Accelerates mirror thermal equilibrium
Raspberry Pi 4
Electronics
Model B 4GB RAM
Main computer — runs tracking, imaging, and web server
MicroSD Card
Electronics
64GB Class 10 A2
Ethernet Cable
Electronics
Cat5e/Cat6, 3–5m
Network connection for Pi
NEMA 17 Stepper (Focus)
Electronics
1.8° 0.4 N·m bipolar
Superseded by ToupTek AAF electronic auto-focuser
ToupTek AAF Electronic Auto-focuser
Electronics
Direct-drive focuser motor with USB control
Replaces NEMA 17 + GT2 belt for focus drive
TMC2209 Stepper Drivers
Electronics
Silent stepper drivers
Ultra-quiet StealthChop for vibration-free tracking
Buck Converter
Electronics
12V → 5V 3A DC-DC
5V derivation handled by PPB Advance Gen 2 variable output
Pegasus Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen 2
Electronics
12V power distribution + USB hub + dew control + env sensor
Integrated power management — replaces terminal block, MOSFETs, and buck converter
Terminal Block
Electronics
12-position barrier strip
Distribution handled by Pegasus PPB Advance Gen 2
MOSFETs
Electronics
IRLZ44N logic-level N-channel
PWM control handled by PPB Advance Gen 2 dew heater outputs
ToupTek ATR585C Cooled Camera
Camera
8.3MP Sony IMX585 cooled CMOS, USB 3.0
Cooled deep-sky imaging camera with thermoelectric cooling
ToupTek GPM462C Guide Camera
Camera
2.1MP Sony IMX462 CMOS, USB 2.0, planetary/guiding
Autoguider for closed-loop tracking correction
Light Shroud
Accessories
Nylon ripstop fabric tube
Blocks stray light between UTA and mirror box
Dew Heater Strip
Accessories
Flexible resistive heater
Prevents dew on secondary mirror
Want to help us get these parts?
Whether it's a financial contribution, an in-kind donation, or lending us workshop space, every bit helps bring this telescope to life.